Culture Shock

By Steven Robert Allen

American Shakespeare Project—In our recent two-part theater guide, which we printed a couple weeks ago, we foolishly neglected to mention the American Shakespeare Project. Bad! Very bad! This Albuquerque-based operation run by David Nava specializes in producing Shakespeare at venues all over town, and they greatly deserve our support.

Do yourself a favor and buy tickets to the company's new production of Taming of the Shrew, opening this very weekend at the Albuquerque Museum's gorgeous outdoor stage. Featuring some of our finest performers in the city, the play should be a laugh riot. The museum is located at 2000 Mountain NW. The play runs through Sept. 24. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 7:30 p.m. $12 general, $10 students/seniors/museum members. 720-8000, www.amshakes.net.

Rosebud to Valentine—A new solo show featuring mixed media sculptures by Rose Buffalo opens this week at the Downtown Contemporary Art Center (105 Fourth Street SE). Buffalo has been creating her intriguing Corn Dolly figures for decades. Her new exhibit, titled Rosebud to Valentine: A Love Song for a Prairie, opens this Friday, Sept. 15, with a reception from 5 to 9 p.m. and runs through Oct. 20. 242-1983.

Frappier Gallery—A fresh new gallery opens its doors in our little neighboring town of Placitas with a champagne reception this Friday, Sept. 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. Carol Frappier's Portrait Studio and Gallery is located at 3 Homesteads Road and Hwy. 165. Frappier will be conducting demonstrations throughout the weekend. On Saturday, Sept. 16, blues mistress Linda Cotton will give a free concert on the stage behind the gallery. Frappier works on commission only. You can view some of her work at www.placitasartists.com. 771-1896.

Poetry and ... Wine?—Of course! The seventh installment of the Duende Poetry Series will be at the Anasazi Fields Winery in Placitas this Sunday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. This time around, Mark Weber and Todd Moore will read verse, and some musicians from Bayou Seco will provide additional entertainment. Roll on up to Placitas for this free event, buy some CDs and poetry, and guzzle a little vino while you're at it. For directions, call 867-3062.